Litography

The German Alois Senefelder invented lithography or planographic print, as it is also known, at the end of the 18th century. He experimented with relief print and intaglio. He discovered a particular type of limestone (Solnhofen stone), which can be found around his home in Bavaria. The stone can absorb and retain both water and fat. This formed the foundation for a new and innovative printing technique.

Today a number of methods to process the lithographical stone are in existence. The common denominator for them is: The stone is honed down, two stones against each other with graining between them. After the graining, also done with stone grains, the stone is ready for the work of the print maker.

You draw on the grainy surface with pencil and greasy ink. The pores of the stone are rinsed with a weak solution of nitric acid and thereby allowing the areas that have not been decorated to carry water. To protect these areas a thin layer of gum Arabic is applied whereupon the decorated areas are cleaned with turpentine or a similar substance and is rubbed with asphalt solution. The layer of gum is washed off with water and the stone is ready for the ink.

The stone is moistened and the ink is rolled on. The ink only “catches” on the decorated areas. The printing is done in a special lithographical print press where the paper is pressed against the stone.

Multi-colored lithographic work is normally made with one stone for each colour but the elimination method is used. By using the elimination method on the stone, not only can part of the image be removed between each printing, but additional elements can also be made to the image with a soap solution.

Dry point etching

The dry point etching is the direct method without any use of acid, which originates in approximately 1480. The source of the name is from etching as previously etching needles were used directly in the acid bath on the primed print plates. The lines etched first had the longest etching time and in this manner they appeared darkest on the print.

However, when you use the etching tool directly on the print plate it is no longer hot (heat generated from the etching process) and wet, but cold and dry.

By etching directly into the plate, not only is a groove created but also a burr. Both retain the ink during the print process, which gives the beautiful characteristics to the dry point etching – a fuzzy, organic character to the line.

Mono type

The art of graphics is defined by duplication and the fact that many identical prints can be made.

As the name indicated, mono type is single print, and thereby contrary to the otherwise basic distinctive feature of graphics. However, this should not disqualify the method which originates in the 17th century, as it still involves transferring an image from a print plate to paper. The image is painted directly on the blank polished print plate with the ink (perhaps with multiple colors). The plate is printed in a print press for copper plates.

Text source: Danske Grafikere

Woodcut

Woodcut is the oldest of the graphical techniques. It arrived in Europe along with paper some 600 years ago, but it has been in use in Asia for much longer.

In the past mainly wood from fruit trees (pear, nut and cherry wood) was used. It was cut as planks (lengthwise of the trunk). Various types of veneer are used today. The white parts of the picture are cut out with different types of knives. The ink is then rolled onto the wood block and the image is printed on fine paper, with long fibres. The printing is done by rubbing a teaspoon on the back of the paper. It can also be printed on different types of machines.